Manchester United have reportedly made a contract offer for Bayern Munich star Leon Goretzka who is also wanted by Real Madrid and Barcelona.

According to the latest edition of Sport Bild, Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Barcelona are closely monitoring the situation of Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka amid a contract standoff with the club. The Red Devils are even said to have offered him a deal over a potential free transfer next summer.

Signed by Bayern three years ago, the 26-year-old has grown into a vital cog for the Rekordmeister, even though there have been a few injury problems along the way. To date, Goretzka has made 112 appearances for Bayern Munich, bagging 25 goals and setting up 27 more.

Despite him being a critical piece of the puzzle at the Allianz Arena, the German international’s future has come under a cloud of uncertainty owing to his contractual situation. The midfielder’s current deal runs out in less than a year, and talks over a new deal have not progressed as per plans.

Goretzka is demanding wages of around €20 million per year to sign a new deal, whereas the Bavarian giants are willing to offer only as much as €10-12 million, leading to a standoff. Alerted to the development, the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona and Manchester United have now set their sights on the 26-year-old.

Attracting interest from top clubs across Europe (Photo by Alex Grimm/Bongarts/Getty Images)
Attracting interest from top clubs across Europe (Photo by Alex Grimm/Bongarts/Getty Images)

Real Madrid’s need for a new midfielder does not need any introduction. Carlo Ancelotti has inherited a midfield unit that is ageing with Luka Modric in the final phase of his career, while Toni Kroos is also into his thirties and will need to be managed carefully. With no backup for Casemiro and the futures of the likes of Isco, Dani Ceballos away from the club, a new midfielder becomes a priority.

As a result, Real Madrid have been linked with a host of names this summer, including Manuel Locatelli. Goretzka, too, has now emerged as a target for Los Blancos, who will have to contend with competition from arch-rivals Barcelona for the German international’s signing. The Catalans, too, are on the lookout for a powerful, physical central midfielder this summer but missed out on the signing of Gini Wijnaldum.

With Miralem Pjanic headed out of the doors at Camp Nou and Ilaix Moriba’s contract situation being as it is, added depth will be welcome so as not to overburden the first-choice trio of Pedri, Frenkie de Jong and Sergio Busquets. Thus, Goretzka would be an option worth considering for Ronald Koeman & co.

However, it is Manchester United that may stand the best chance of landing the 26-year-old. With the Red Devils potentially staring at the prospect of losing Paul Pogba, who is in the final year of his contract, and there being question marks over Donny van de Beek’s future, a midfield addition may very well be needed, making Goretzka a viable target for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer & co.

To that end, Manchester United have already tabled a contract offer exceeding that of Bayern’s to lure Goretzka on a free transfer next term. Real Madrid and Barcelona, meanwhile, are yet to act on their interest. So, it remains to be seen whether the 26-year-old signs a new deal or leaves on a free next summer, or in a cut-price deal this window itself.

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